Khalil told NRT that Shingal agreement is a constitutional agreement, but neither Baghdad nor Erbil has put its terms fully into practice. He also blamed interference from neighboring countries for the lack of progress.
“The people of the area should be compensated as soon as possible and the smuggling routes that are operating should be closed,” he said.
Located in northwestern Nineveh governorate, the district is part of the disputed areas, which are claimed by both Baghdad and Erbil.
In 2014, Shingal was attacked by Islamic State (ISIS) militants, who perpetrated a genocide against local Yazidi, killing, displacing, and abducting thousands. In the aftermath, the Peshmerga and other elements of the security forces came under heavy criticism for withdrawing from the area ahead of the militants’ advance.
It was recaptured from ISIS in late 2015 through the joint efforts of various Kurdish and federal forces.
The two governments reached an agreement on October 9 designed to normalize security in the district by removing non-state armed groups, including those affiliated the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), and the return of displaced people to the district.
The Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) have a strong presence in the area.
Turkey occasionally conducts airstrikes in Shingal and has military bases nearby, saying that they are necessary to combat the PKK.
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